Anyone know anything about Mandolins ?

My parents would like a mandolin (they're quite musical, I'm not!), so I've been looking at getting them one for Xmas - the problem being I don't have a clue what to look for.

I'm thinking secondhand would be better than buying new (there are loads listed on E-pay) but I don't know what's good or bad about them.

Does anyone know anything more than nothing about them ?


Cheers,
batfink

 

I know a little more than nothing ie they should have 8 strings and how to tune them! Your best bet I reckon would be to find a fairly reputable shop, and see what they have to offer. I know most string dealers round me deal in violins and the like, not mandolins. Someone somewhere must specialize, it's just a matter of finding them

 

For lots of good and useful information, I'd talk to The Acoustic Music Company or Joe White both of whom will give you sensible advice. The Acoustic Music Co import and sell mandolins and other stringed instruments from lots of small luthiers, and possibly have the largest selection of mandolins in the country. Joe White is a luthier who builds amazingly accurate copies of the original "F-type" Gibson mandolin, he's also extremely fair and will tell you the truth, not try and sell you something (he's as happy working on a £200 chinese import guitar as he is when working on a custom multi-thousand pound instrument).

Cheers,
Simon

 

hobgoblin

also check out hobgoblin music, which is where my mandolin comes from:

http://www.hobgoblin.com/local/mandolinframeuk.htm

cheers
Matt

 

Whilst Hobgoblin are a good company, they do not have the depth of knowledge of a specialist mandolin shop like TAMC. However, once you have done your research they are often a good place to end up buying - their Ashbury range are particularly good value since they are imported from China. My wife has an Ashbury mando which is fine for a beginner, but there is a huge difference in playability between these beginner's instruments and the mid and higher priced ranges from (mainly) small luthiers. It may also be worth seeking out bargains in the small ads and then having a luthier fix it up.

Cheers,
Simon